I find it odd that a guy who has never been able to stay healthy enough to find out how he would end up as a playoff QB or MVP candidate gets credit with some for being a Super Bowl winning QB and MVP anyway. Durability is a key factor as well.
Wentz played in all 16 regular season games last season.
But we can agree to disagree on that point.
My point being people banging on about market value of QB contracts well let's look at comparable contracts since last year (figures are accurate to my knowledge feel free to correct I wouldn't be offended): -
Bridgewater $21 million 3 years
Tannehill $29.5 million. 4 year extension
Cousins $32 million 2 year extension so 3 years
Wentz $32 million 4 year extension so 5 years
Goff $33.5 million 4 year extension so 5 years
Wilson $35 million 4 years
If Prescott was offered circa $35 million a year with around $110 million guaranteed for 5 years with state tax benefits then I can only understand his reasoning for rejecting the offer is either that his sole concern is money or he's delusional as to his actual ability and views himself on the same level as Mahomes.
Wentz and Goff could have rejected and probably got more from a desperate team. But they like their set ups and accepted good deals.
Deshawn Watson is in a different situation to Prescott. The Texans haven't had a quality QB since...well Watson himself and he makes them a much better team. He is their franchise. Prescott simply isn't as important to the Cowboys as Watson is to the Texans.
Mahomes is on a different level to Prescott. No need to discuss further plus contract structured differently. Jackson's skill set is unique and he has completely transformed the Ravens' offence. Again not comparable to Prescott. The issue here is that I think Prescott does feel that he's a key cog to the Cowboys and without him they wouldn't be able to reach 8-8.
People bang on oh it was rejected because the length was 4 yrs not 5 yrs. Well Wentz and Goff have contracts that effectively elapse 5 years after signing their last contracts. Length of contract is still associated with money.
The front office made Prescott a very fair and reasonable offer if it's true that it was the amounts reported. I even think the offer was too much when compared with other recent contracts for Quarterbacks outside of Mahomes, Jackson and Watson.
So outside of at least reaching the NFC Championship game I just don't see the scenario of Prescott staying with the Cowboys beyond next season.
His conduct thus far has indicated that he wants as much as he can earn and will not be offered that at the Cowboys.
How he leaves will be interesting as we will want some picks for him but will have to trade him at the right time.